[Mark Robson]

Thanks Jamie,

we are primarily garment decorators, embroidery etc and have a Roland BN-20 for the print cut side which been amazing though a bit slow, cutting especially and it is now getting on so considering upgrading however everything is massive in size by comparison to the BN-20! Looked to Roland because generally Roland have a good print and cut reputation with heat press flexes, often short-runs then cut straight after quite accurately. If they still made the SP300i would look at that as size was smaller than truevis2 models. Have been offered Epson and cutter, didn’t know anything about them and don’t know anyone using them for garment decoration but reading here they are highly regarded although we need this new machine to do both garment and signage as obviously with a new machine we would be expanding our offerings to large format printing so also trying to figure out what a multi ink like VG2 would give us over SG2 CMYK or rather how we would/could make the most of it if we went that way, as it’s quite a bit more money.

[Mark Robson]

Yes I think so too, prefer to stick with Roland than mimaki, looked at SG2-300 CMYK but then offers on Roland at mo mean not much more for a 540 but then it’s quite a leap for the VG2-540 with the additional colours, almost half again at the current discounted rates. Just not sure what the additional colour gamut would add for us though sounds a nice thing to have but at a price

[Mark Robson]

Thanks Chris, just meant the BN20 is good but a bit slow so if they updated some of it’s features like cut and print speed it would make them the instant replacement choice. Yes looked at SP and though they are no longer in production you occasionally you see a little used ones come up for sale, I missed an SP300i the other week with very few hours on it for £3500. Obviously there is risk with used items unless they have been under roland care al the time. Likewise the VP range is a good machine but from what I understand it is obsolete and used to get some motherboard issues that required a replacement of which there are none available now so a used is a risky proposition for use daily. I think the True vis 2 ink is supposed to be okay so a new SG300 or 540 is an option though wanted to know how people found them after owning one. Mimaki offer similar machines though I may fall in the Roland camp having found them quite good and helpful with support.